October always feels like a turning point in the school year for me—the fun of Homecoming dress up days have faded, we’ve figured out that A/B schedule and how to manage homework, and now we feel so close to the holidays that some of us are already getting our Christmas decor out. 

As the excitement of the new school year has faded, and the reality of tests, deadlines, practices, social commitments, and being tired starts to set in—For many students, this is when stress quietly begins to build — and if left unchecked, it can quickly domino right into full blown stress, missing deadlines, and a mountain of work to catch up on.

A little stress isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, short bursts of stress can motivate us to meet goals or stay alert. But when it becomes constant–when you can’t relax, focus, show up in the ways you want, or sleep — that’s a sign your stress might be managing you.

Here are a few simple ways to keep your stress levels in check:

For parents: Teen stress often shows up as irritability, withdrawal, worry, or fatigue. Keeping the lines of communication open is often the biggest helper for students who are beginning the stress cycle. They don’t necessarily need anyone to fix anything for them, but being able to voice their concerns and feel heard can make a huge difference. Encourage balance, not perfection, and remind your teen that rest, fun, and social connections are just as important to success as hard work, and key to beating the stress cycle.

Stress is part of life, but it doesn’t have to be in charge. With awareness and small daily habits, students can build resilience now that will serve them well beyond Upper School.